National Park roads take us through and to some amazing landscapes we might otherwise never see. Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas is home to a couple of scenic drives, each of which offer various overlooks showcasing the forested scenery of the Zig Zag Mountains. From these drives and overlooks, you can appreciate (and photograph) sunrises, sunsets, and fall colors.
The view from Hot Springs Mountain Lookout Point, Hot Springs National Park / NPS-Mitch Smith
Hot Springs Mountain Scenic Drive / North Mountain Loop
According to Park Staff:
Hot Springs Mountain Drive begins at the end of Fountain Street off Central Avenue downtown. Built as a carriage road in the 1880s, it has switchbacks that will take you to the top to a picnic area, the Pagoda overlook, and the Hot Springs Mountain Tower. You can continue on to North Mountain Loop and then back down to Fountain Street.
There are two overlooks along this drive:
- Hot Springs Mountain Lookout Point – From here, you can see the city of Hot Springs and the Ouachita Mountains in the far distance. You also will see the historic Hot Springs Mountain Pagoda, designed by architect J.G. Horn in 1911 and dedicated to superintendent Harry H. Myers.
- Goat Rock Overlook - This overlook is located on top of North Mountain overlooking the Zigzag Mountains with a view of Indian Mountain to the right, also know as Silver Mountain. In this area you will notice the sedimentary rock known as Arkansas Novaculite. This very fine-grained stone was mined by Native Americans for use as arrowheads and other tools. Settlers discovered the rock makes a fine whetstone.
West Mountain Scenic Drive
According to Park Staff:
West Mountain Drive has entrances on Prospect Avenue and Whittington Avenue. It is a two way road that leads to the Summit Loop where you will find three overlooks. The first overlook affords a good view of Bathhouse Row and the former Army-Navy Hospital. The second overlook has a historic trail shelter and picnic tables and the summit has a view south to the Trap Mountains and Lake Hamilton. You'll find an outcrop of Arkansas Novaculite at the top as well.
The view from West Mountain Lower Overlook, Hot Springs National Park / NPS-Mitch Smith
There are three overlooks along this scenic drive:
- West Mountain Lower Overlook – At this spot you will have a fine aerial view of Bathhouse Row and downtown Hot Springs. To your far left, you will see Hot Springs Mountain Tower. Use your smartphone’s panoramic setting or a wide-angle lens to capture the entire scene.
- West Mountain Picnic Overlook – Complete with picnic tables as well as a historic mountain shelter constructed in 1924, you’ll have a higher view of the city of Hot Springs from which to enjoy a picnic lunch.
- West Mountain Loop Overlook – Here you will reach the summit of West Mountain, with a view south to the Trap Mountains with Lake Hamilton visible far in the distance. You'll also find an outcrop of Arkansas Novaculite at the top.
Sugarloaf Mountain Overlooks
The Balanced Rock and Hot Springs Mountain Tower overlooks are not located along the scenic drives but can be hiked from these scenic drives.
A view from Hot Springs Mountain Tower, Hot Springs National Park / NPS-Mitch Smith
- Balanced Rock Overlook is reached via the Sunset Trail, Hot Springs National Park’s longest and most remote hiking trail.
- Hot Springs Mountain Tower Overlook stands 216 feet (65.8 meters) above Hot Springs Mountain and 1,256 feet (382.8 meters) above sea level and provides panoramic views of the park and surrounding countryside. Originally being made of wood in 1877, the tower was rebuilt with steel and an elevator in 1982 with both open and enclosed observation decks.
